Girmay’s Climate and Conservation Plan

Introduction

Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing King County and the stakes are especially high for frontline communities, our region’s natural landscapes, and future generations. We are already seeing the consequences: hotter summers, toxic wildfire smoke, increased flooding, salmon dying, and pressure on our forests and farmlands. At the same time, King County is projected to grow by nearly one million people in the next 20 years, placing added strain on land, water, and infrastructure.

The good news is that we already have powerful tools in place, from the Growth Management Act to the County’s award-winning Strategic Climate Action Plan. What we need now is bold, collaborative leadership to fully implement these frameworks, scale our efforts, and ensure every community can benefit from and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future.

As King County Executive, I will bring urgency, pragmatism, and equity to this work. We will reduce emissions, protect our natural resources, and prepare our communities for a changing climate. This plan lays out how we do that.

Here’s My Plan:

1️⃣ Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 50% Countywide by 2030

• Transition Metro’s fleet to zero-emission buses in phases, being mindful of the tradeoffs between using resources for electrification versus expanding bus service hours.
• Fully fund Metro Connects to expand access to fast, reliable public transit. Also expand bus rapid transit, light rail, and first-mile/last-mile solutions.
• Build out safe bike lanes, e-scooter infrastructure, and walkable neighborhoods across King County.
• Launch incentives and support for residential and commercial building electrification.
• Invest in local renewable energy, solar, wind, and battery storage, including grid improvements east of the Cascades.

2️⃣ Prepare for Climate Change Impacts

• Integrate climate risk and resilience into all County capital planning and infrastructure design.
• Build new flood protection projects, especially in high-risk areas like the Green and Snoqualmie river valleys.
• Increase investments in urban tree canopy, green roofs, and heat mitigation infrastructure.
• Expand emergency cooling and air quality centers for climate-related disasters.

3️⃣ Support Frontline Communities

• Co-design climate adaptation projects with BIPOC, tribal, immigrant, and low-income communities.
• Create a network of neighborhood resilience hubs that provide cooling, clean air, emergency power, and services.
• Fund community-driven climate initiatives through equitable grantmaking and technical support.
• Prioritize green infrastructure investments in communities overburdened by pollution and underinvestment.

4️⃣ Prevent Sprawl and Build Smart

• Uphold the Growth Management Act, the Urban Growth Boundary, and the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
• Increase density and housing options in urban areas near jobs, schools, and transit.
• Expand the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program to preserve rural lands while accommodating growth.
• Streamline permitting for sustainable, infill development in cities.

5️⃣ Conserve Farmland, Forests, and Habitat

• Double the acreage protected through the Farmland Preservation Program.
• Invest in salmon habitat restoration, including fish passage barrier removal and levee setbacks.
• Support the Fish, Farm, and Flood Agreement to ensure collaboration among farmers, tribes, and conservationists.
• Prevent “resort-style” sprawl by maintaining zoning protections in forest production districts.

6️⃣ Modernize Wastewater Systems

• Upgrade West Point and South Plant to meet nutrient removal standards, protect Puget Sound, and maintain affordability.
• Expand stormwater infrastructure to prevent polluted runoff and support salmon recovery.
• Build the Georgetown Wet Weather Station and plan for the $2.5 billion Duwamish facility with cost controls and environmental benefit analysis.
• Advocate for flexible, phased standards from the Department of Ecology that align with local capacity.

7️⃣ Plan for the Future of Solid Waste

• Extend the life of Cedar Hills Landfill while planning for long-term disposal solutions, rail transport or energy recovery.
• Increase composting and recycling rates with targeted education campaigns and more access points.
• Modernize transfer stations, including completing the Algona facility and resolving Kirkland siting challenges.
• Support innovation in circular economy businesses, reuse, repair, and material recovery.

8️⃣ Invest in Parks, Trails, and Open Space

• Fully fund the Land Conservation Initiative to protect 65,000 acres of remaining green space.
• Renew and strengthen the King County Parks Levy to support operations, maintenance, and new acquisitions.
• Complete regional trail gaps and expand trail access to hiking areas by investing in the Trailhead Direct pilot from King County Metro and King County Parks.
• Protect and restore critical wildlife corridors and riparian buffers to support biodiversity.

9️⃣ Build a Green Economy with Good Jobs

• Launch a countywide Green Jobs Strategy with labor, industry, and workforce partners.
• Expand apprenticeship programs and prioritize climate infrastructure for local hire and union labor.
• Provide startup support for small businesses in clean tech, solar installation, and green construction.
• Partner with high schools, colleges, and trades to build out green career pathways.

🔟Strengthen King County’s Local Food System

• Protect working farms and prime soils, especially in Snoqualmie Valley and Enumclaw Plateau.
• Expand regional food hubs and cold storage infrastructure to connect growers with markets.
• Support farm-to-school programs and institutional purchasing of local produce.
• Increase land access and technical assistance for BIPOC, immigrant, and young farmers.

Conclusion

King County has the resources, values, and vision to be a national leader in climate resilience and environmental justice. But we must act boldly, urgently, and together. As Executive, I’ll bring people together to build a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable region and ensure that those most impacted by climate change are at the center of our solutions.